DIY Life

By Heather Craven

One of my favorite parts about summer is watching my flowers bloom. Well, I don't really watch them bloom but I do enjoy stepping out on the patio each morning to see more color than the evening before. It is such a simple part of life, but the satisfaction I get from the different colors is a wonderful feeling. That is partly why I am always saddened to see the leaves turn and the snow fly as we set in for months without color in the garden.

Fortunately, the winter does not have to be many long months of white, you can easily save those summer blooms to enjoy during the darkness of winter. One method of flower preservation is to hang the blooms upside down so that they dry out and maintain their shape. This is probably the easiest method and it produces a pleasant, faded flower. However, if you are looking for a more vibrant effect, drying your flowers in a borax/silica combination is a better approach. Following is a step by step guide:

Spring has finally sprung and I couldn't be happier. I just came inside from cleaning out my flower beds and was so happy to see the many sprouts of green that will become my perennials.

I also found some -- yep, you guessed it -- weeds. Personally, I really love most weeds, especially those tiny purple flowers in the violet family. Instead of pulling them up this year, I think I will let them grow. They will be the perfect flower to use to make pressed flower notecards.

This tutorial makes it sound so easy. After you dry the flowers in-between absorbent paper for about two weeks, you simply use tweezers and white glue to affix the flowers and leaves to the notecards. Protect the notecard with some clear contact paper and you've got a blooming fun way to welcome in spring, and also a great Mother's Day gift.